Volunteers who love the outdoors and care about protecting the environment. You’ll be working alongside local staff so there’s no need to have prior conservation experience.

Project details

Happy in nature and want to be an Environmental volunteer in the Philippines? International Volunteer HQ’s Environmental project empowers volunteers to help preserve and protect the island environment of Palawan. Volunteers gain conservation experience while assisting with the restoration of a mangrove swamp which is a vital part of the local ecosystem and an important habitat for marine and bird life.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

The island of Palawan is world-famous for its stunning natural environment, with pristine beaches, green bushland and crystal clear water. However, it requires work to maintain, restore and conserve the area’s natural beauty. Volunteers are needed to undertake a variety of tasks which help preserve this incredible environment.

As an Environmental volunteer, you’ll be based in a mangrove forest where you will help rehabilitate the vital habitat for local marine and bird life. The mangroves play a huge role in both cleaning the sea water and protecting the shore line from storm surges and erosion, but have declined in recent years. Volunteer duties include:

Replanting and rehabilitating mangroves
Helping with litter and mangrove education programs in local schools and communities
Gather seeds that slow erosion and deforestation
Helping to clean up local beaches

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action

Climate change affects everyone, everywhere. 2010 - 2020 was the warmest decade ever recorded and Carbon Dioxide levels have risen to an all-time high. In order to keep global temperatures below the Paris Agreement’s 2 degree Celsius limit, we must take action to educate communities, conserve nature and promote sustainable solutions.

Why do Environmental Conservation volunteering in Palawan with IVHQ?

As an Environmental volunteer in the Philippines you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Restoring an important habitat for wildlife
Encouraging local communities to live sustainably
Developing your communication skills
Gaining conservation experience
Immersing yourself in Filipino culture
Exploring the spectacular island of Palawan

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Volunteers must have a medium level of fitness.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Philippines photo gallery

IVHQ volunteer looking after a patient at the Healthcare volunteer project in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

Volunteer teacher in the Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Childcare project

Environmental Conservation volunteer in Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Environmental Conservation project

Volunteers in the ambulance on a mission with local medical staff in Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ volunteer abroad in the Philippines working in construction

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

An IVHQ volunteer abroad in the Philippines working in kindergarten

IVHQ Childcare project

A patient receiving help from IVHQ healthcare volunteer in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ Environmental Conservation project

Outside of the health center volunteering with IVHQ in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ volunteers in Philippines doing healthcare volunteer project

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ volunteer in the Philippines working in construction & renovation

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

Volunteer preparing meal with others for local kids in need while volunteering healthcare with IVHQ in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ Environmental Conservation project

Childcare volunteering in the Philippines

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Environmental Conservation project

IVHQ volunteer helping patient with health consultation at the Healthcare project in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

A local kids receiving help from IVHQ volunteer at the Healthcare project in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

Volunteer teaching in the Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

IVHQ School Holidays project

Healthcare volunteer project in Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Healthcare project

Teaching volunteering in the Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Construction & Renovation project

An IVHQ volunteer on healthcare mission in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ volunteers teaching basic health knowledge to local kids at Healthcare project in Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

Volunteer at the Healthcare project in Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Healthcare project

IVHQ healthcare volunteers sharing health knowledge in the classroom with local kids at Philippines

IVHQ Healthcare project

Volunteers traveling to their volunteer placement in the Philippines with IVHQ

Typical volunteer transport

Exploring Narra Market during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Estrella Falls during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Palawan beach during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Palawan during an IVHQ weekend

Group of IVHQ volunteers exploring the Philippines during an IVHQ weekend

IVHQ volunteers exploring during an IVHQ weekend

Water based activities on Palawan beach during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Palawan during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring water falls during an IVHQ weekend in the Philippines

Exploring Estrella Falls during an IVHQ weekend

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Darren Dimabuyu

12 Sep 2024

I loved the fact that I got to do a bit of extra work outside of my program, which was doing a bit of disaster relief for the impacted community when Typhoon Yagi hit the Philippines. Palawan wasn't too badly affected, but there was a tree down on a family's home in which my group kindly assisted.

It was the best experience for my first time travelling. This is because I feel like I've made an impact on the community, made friends, had valuable experiences, instead of travelling just for the sake of being a "tourist" and going "sight-seeing". The only small regret I have was having the attitude of "trying it out" and only staying for 1 week. But even though my time was short, my foundation for future travel and volunteering seems pretty stable, learning many lessons for my next trip.

...

Cristian Tamasan

12 Sep 2024

I've learned new things about a different culture, including a few basic phrases in Tagalog. I've also learned and developed new skills like planting mangroves and working with pupils whose first language isn't English. I would encourage anyone to volunteer in the Philippines for a few weeks, it is totally worth it.

...

Mayuko Guidi

08 Aug 2024

The experience communicating with locals, making new friends, learning local culture as volunteering was very new to me and was very rewarding. One of the best trip I ever had.

...

Lea Wernersbach

17 Jun 2024

Volunteering in the Philippines was one of the best experiences in my life. I will keep all those positive moments and memories in my heart forever.

...

Zhengle Zhong

02 Apr 2024

Through this trip I got a new home in Philippines! I met a lot of like-minded volunteers and made some life-long friends during the volunteering trip. Also, I gained the opportunity to immerse in a new culture full-heartedly. I feel this experience really special and it will definitely become one of my most precious memories of my life!

...

Dominic Olivo

21 Feb 2024

My wife and I volunteered with IVHQ in TIgman Village, Palawan in the Philippines and had a remarkably, impactful time. We would recommend to any honeymooners to volunteer for at least a portion of their trip as it created lasting memories, impactful experiences, and created a stronger bond between the two of us. Giving back to the country we were visiting, and assisting in healing the planet was such a great experience.

Courtney and I are vegan and so grateful for all of the options they provided to us, it was delicious!! We really appreciate it, everyone loved the food!! We will volunteer with IVHQ the next chance we get!! Next time, we will be going to South America! Thank you, IVHQ!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Volunteer Abroad in the Philippines with IVHQ

Location

Set in the western Pacific ocean, the Philippines is a collection of incredible islands that are home to nearly 110 million people known for their friendly smiles. With a multicultural population and a newly industrialized economy, cities in the Philippines have been making great strides towards reducing poverty. However, in the country’s more remote areas low-income communities still struggle to access basic necessities like healthcare and education. Volunteers are valued in these areas for the help they provide to local schools, community services and initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for those outside the main centers.

IVHQ’s Philippines program is set in the Arborlan District on Palawan - an island often considered one of the most beautiful in the world. With turquoise waters lapping at the edges of white sandy beaches, breathtaking scenery, UNESCO World Heritage sites and world-class diving spots, it’s a coastal paradise to rival any place you could dream of. Volunteers will stay near the remote Tigman Village on the east coast of Palawan.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation is held every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Palawan on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) between 10am and 5pm. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Tigman Village. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are traveling in the Philippines prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Puerto Princesa on the day before your program orientation.

There are two options for orientation in the Philippines, a One-Day Orientation and an Introduction Week.

The One-Day Orientation: This begins on your selected start date and all volunteers will attend. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in the Philippines, including an introduction to the IVHQ Philippines program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the projects, take a walking tour of the local area and arrange your SIM card. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Introduction Week: The Introduction Week begins on the first and third Monday of each month and your volunteer program will commence the following week or you can start the week before if this works better with your schedule. The Introduction Week is very popular among IVHQ volunteers. We recommend all volunteers take advantage of this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Filipino culture, a true appreciation of life in the Philippines and bond with fellow volunteers while also taking a cooking class, necklace or bracelet making, and touring local attractions. It’s also a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in the Philippines. The Introduction Week has an additional cost of $367 (approximately $367).

If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate your interest in this option on your application form when you apply for the program or you can let your Program Manager know once you’ve been accepted on the program.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays - A typical volunteer day is as follows:

8:00 AM	Breakfast with fellow volunteers.
9:00 - 11:30 AM	Volunteers work at their placements.
11:30 AM	Volunteers break for lunch. If volunteers are unable to return to the volunteer accommodation, they will be given a packed lunch.
1:30 - 2:00 PM	Work at the placement resumes (except Childcare volunteers, who use their afternoons to prepare for the following day)
3:30 - 4:00 PM	Work ends and volunteers have free time to explore the local area.
5:00 - 6:00 PM	Dinner with fellow volunteers.

Weekends: Volunteers have weekends free to relax and explore Palawan and the Philippines. In Tigman Village, the closest place to your accommodation, you can visit the colorful daily local markets and shop for fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, clothes and street food. You’ll also be able to step out the door of the volunteer accommodation and onto the beach for a swim.

As well as this, there’s a stunning number of things to do further afield in Palawan. This incredible island is known for its natural beauty, exotic and endangered wildlife and having a wide range of interesting things to see and explore. You could find yourself battling frothy rapids while white-water rafting, island-hopping to visit the picturesque spots at El Nido where major Hollywood movies were filmed, wandering the length of one of the world’s longest beaches, cruising down an underground river or relaxing poolside with a cool drink in hand.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be staying in one of two volunteer houses in the remote village of Tigman, with both houses potentially open depending on program demand. Accommodation assignments are random, and we are unable to accommodate specific requests. However, volunteers traveling together as a group will be accommodated together.

Each house offers dormitory-style accommodation with air-conditioned rooms, where you’ll share a room with up to eight others of the same gender. There are shared bathrooms with western toilets and cold-water showers (a refreshing way to cool off in the heat). You’ll also have access to a fridge for storing personal food and an area for hand-washing laundry.

The main house has a pool, ideal for unwinding after a busy day of volunteering. If the main house reaches capacity, you’ll be accommodated in a second house nearby. Although this house doesn’t have a pool, it provides the same warm, welcoming atmosphere. You’ll also be welcome to visit the main house during your free time and enjoy the pool.

WiFi is available in both houses for volunteers to use throughout their stay.

Meals

Volunteers are served breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays with just two meals provided on weekends. Breakfast consists of bread and spreads with tea or coffee, while lunch and dinner are local Filipino cuisine. Rice is a staple in the Philippines and most meals will include a portion of rice, accompanied by two or more dishes which will be a combination of vegetables, meat or seafood cooked in local spices and sauces.

IVHQ volunteer accommodation

IVHQ volunteer social area

IVHQ volunteer accommodation beach in the Philippines

IVHQ volunteer social area

IVHQ volunteer accommodation relaxation huts in the Philippines

IVHQ volunteer social area

IVHQ volunteer accommodation relaxation area in the Philippines

IVHQ volunteer social area

Volunteer accommodation beach in the Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ volunteer accommodation

IVHQ volunteer typical bedroom

IVHQ volunteer accommodation

IVHQ volunteer typical bathroom

Private room upgrade

Volunteer house bedroom in the Philippines with IVHQ

Private room upgrade

Volunteer upgraded bedroom in the Philippines with IVHQ

IVHQ Private self contained cabin

IVHQ Philippines volunteer accommodation bathroom

Typical volunteer bathroom

Volunteer bathroom in the Philippines accommodation with IVHQ

Typical volunteer bathroom

Volunteer living room in the Philippines accommodation with IVHQ

Typical volunteer living room

Volunteer kitchen in the Philippines accommodation with IVHQ

Typical volunteer kitchen

IVHQ volunteer breakfast in the Philippines

Typical volunteer breakfast

Volunteer breakfast in the Philippines with IVHQ

Typical volunteer breakfast

Volunteer lunch in the Philippines with IVHQ

Typical volunteer lunch

IVHQ volunteer dinner in the Philippines

Typical volunteer dinner

Volunteer dinner in the Philippines with IVHQ

Typical volunteer dinner

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$390 Equivalent to $56/day
2 weeks	$542 Equivalent to $39/day
3 weeks	$734 Equivalent to $35/day
4 weeks	$906 Equivalent to $32/day
5 weeks	$1,078 Equivalent to $31/day
6 weeks	$1,250 Equivalent to $30/day
8 weeks	$1,594 Equivalent to $28/day
10 weeks	$1,938 Equivalent to $28/day
12 weeks	$2,282 Equivalent to $27/day
16 weeks	$2,970 Equivalent to $27/day
20 weeks	$3,658 Equivalent to $26/day
24 weeks	$4,346 Equivalent to $26/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Philippines generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Meals
Airport pick-up
Transport to and from volunteer project
Accommodation
24/7 in-country emergency support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Palawan

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Palawan program.

Airport Drop-off

Enjoy a stress free ride from the accommodation back to Puerto Princesa International Airport arranged by our local team.

$72

New

El Nido Dive, Explore & Unwind - 6 night excursion

Discover the natural beauty and vibrant culture of El Nido, Palawan, one of the world’s top travel destinations.

$365

Popular

Philippine Introduction Week

Introduction Week for the Philippines

$367

View all add-ons & experiences

Check what's required to visit the Philippines

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Manila
Population	116 million
Languages	Filipino, English
Currency	Philippine Peso (PHP)
Time zone	UTC+08:00

Weather and climate: The Philippines has a hot and humid tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures ranging between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F). The hottest months are April and May, when temperatures often exceed 30°C (86°F).

The country experiences two main seasons: